Tea Set, 925 Silver Niello — 4-piece, Cup, Tea Strainer & Spoon

A tea ritual is only complete when nothing is missing. This 4-piece tea set made of 925 sterling silver combines a cup, saucer, tea infuser with lid, and spoon into a single thought: tea that brews, stays warm, and is served with dignity. The same large Niello floral motif from the SevChern manufactory in Veliky Ustyug runs across all four pieces – sunflowers and vines, deep black on highly polished silver. A set for people who don't just drink tea casually but consciously celebrate it.

At a Glance

• Set contents: Teacup, saucer, tea infuser with lid, teaspoon
• Material: 925 sterling silver, highly polished, with Niello
• Niello motif: large floral motif, continuous on all four pieces
• Teacup: 300 ml, height 10 cm, width 12 cm, Ø 8.5 cm, approx. 217 g
• Saucer: Ø 12 cm, approx. 93 g
• Tea infuser with lid: height 7 cm, Ø 9.6 cm, approx. 160 g
• Teaspoon: length 14 cm, approx. 25 g
• Total weight of set: approx. 495 g
• Hallmark present
• Gift box included, all four pieces packaged together

The tea infuser is the key to this set. It doesn't sit somewhere next to the cup, but directly on it: the infuser insert with its ring handle fits exactly on the rim of the cup and seals it like a lid. The tea brews warmly, no heat is lost, no leaves float freely in the infusion. Once the tea has brewed, you remove the infuser insert by the ring and place it on the inverted lid, which then serves as a drip tray. This way, the tea drips off in a controlled manner, not onto the saucer and not onto the table. A closed system, weighing approx. 160 grams and with a diameter of 9.6 cm, that sits stably on the cup and doesn't slip.

Material and Workmanship

The floral motif on this set is one of the largest of the SevChern line: wide, space-filling blossoms and curved vines that occupy the entire band of the cup wall. Not a small, intricate ornamental pattern that disappears from a distance, but a drawing that remains recognizable even from afar. The same motif runs on the lid, the same band frames the saucer — the four pieces visibly belong together. This effect is made possible by Niello, a millennia-old technique: a black alloy of silver, copper, lead, and sulfur is melted into previously hand-engraved depressions, thereby forming a permanent, chemical-physical bond with the silver. Not a print, no enamel — the black is part of the metal itself. The teaspoon features a single Niello blossom at the end of the handle in the same design language, smaller in scale but committed to the same design language. SevChern manufactures Niello silver in Veliky Ustyug, Northern Russia, where this art has been documented since 1683. The Niello tradition of this city carries a geographically protected designation of origin, comparable to Champagne from the Champagne region. In 1937, it received a gold medal at the World Exhibition in Paris. Each of the four pieces undergoes six production stages: shaping the silver blank, hand-engraving the motif, Niello melting, grinding and exposing the drawing, final polishing, quality control with hallmarking. The Russian Federal Assay Office confirms the 925 alloy; the manufactory mark is present.

Usage and Occasions

A complete tea set as a gift says more than a single cup: it shows that someone has put thought into it — not just about the object, but about the ritual behind it. For a wedding, a gift for two who share their morning tea. For an anniversary, a piece that gains character with the years. For Mother's Day or a birthday for someone who values quality more than quantity. For collectors of Russian silver art, the complete hallmarking is as important as the large motif in classic SevChern hand-engraving tradition. A set cast from a single mold that would not be out of place in any collection.

Engraving and SilberVerse Card

Personal engraving is available upon request, for example on the bottom of the cup or in a less ornate area — with a date, initials, or a short dedication. If desired, we can also include a SilberVerse card in photo format 15 × 10 cm landscape: individually designed, currently free of charge, a unique item for this special occasion.

Care

The same rule applies to all four pieces: hand wash only with lukewarm water and mild dish soap. No dishwasher, no silver dip, no ultrasonic cleaner — these methods attack the Niello inlay. The floral motif is permanently melted in and does not fade; it requires no special care other than avoiding aggressive chemicals. The tea infuser can simply be rinsed with lukewarm water after use. Store dry, ideally in the included gift box. Silver develops a patina with genuine use, which makes the Niello motif stand out even more — this is not a flaw, it is character.

Frequently Asked Questions

How exactly does the tea infuser function as a lid?
The infuser insert fits on the rim of the cup and seals it like a lid, so the tea brews warm and covered. After brewing, you remove the infuser insert and place it on the inverted lid, which serves as a drip tray — a closed, clean system.

Is 300 ml the right size for tea?
Yes, 300 ml corresponds to a classic European teacup size. For comparison: mocha cups hold 80 to 120 ml, cappuccino cups 150 to 200 ml. 300 ml is the size for which most tea recipes and brewing times are designed.

What is Niello, and why does the motif remain permanent?
Niello is a black metal alloy of silver, copper, lead, and sulfur, which is melted into engraved depressions and permanently bonded with the silver. Not lacquer, no paint, no print, but part of the metal itself. The motif does not fade or wear off.

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